Freedom Always Comes With A Price

The young Marine who left home. . .never to enjoy his mother’s home cooking again.

The Navy Seal who left his pregnant wife. . .never to see his daughter take her first step.

The Army private who left college early. . .never to return to finish his education.

The Air Force fighter pilot who left a lucrative job offer. . .never to fly again.

Throughout our history. . .and indeed the history of the world there has always been those who so unselfishly gave their lives for the freedom of others.

This week, we honor those men and women throughout our history.

I want to tell you about another young man. . .who left His home to answer the call for duty and honor.

Like so many of our sons and daughters He left all that was familiar to Him… to help others.

Like many of the sons and daughters of this nation who traveled to distant shores. . .this young man did as well.

This young man often found himself in a hostile environment with those who hated him and some who even plotted his death.

Like so many of our sons and daughters who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom . . .this young man at 33 years of age gave His life for our freedom as well.

By now, you know the young man of whom I speak is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He gave His life as a ransom for many. He gave His life that we may have life and have it more abundantly.

He gave His life for our freedom for sin. . .but the cost of our freedom was His life.

So freedom is never free.

Romans 6:12 in the Message Bible which says:

“That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God.”

Dr. Billy Graham once said:

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.”